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Africa’s landmass is gradually breaking apart due to tectonic movements, and scientists predict that a new ocean could form within about 50 million years. The phenomenon reflects ancient geological changes on Earth, such as the breakup of Pangea about 230 million years ago.Fossil evidence, including prehistoric Cynognathus found in both Africa and South America, supports the idea that these continents were once connected. At the center of this separation is the East African Rift Valley (EARS), a vast fault that runs through Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, where the African continent is slowly splitting apart.Over the past 25 million years, a crack has widened within the African plate, forming two distinct plates: the Nubian plate in the west and the Somali plate in the east. As this fragmentation continues, seawater may eventually flow in and form new oceans between these separated landmass.Experts discuss geological changes in Africa
Geologist David Adede points out that the East African Rift Valley has a rich history of tectonic and volcanic activity. Although surface changes are limited, forces deep underground can create weaknesses that eventually reach the surface. Researcher Stephen Hicks says significant cracks in Kenya’s rift valley are due to soil erosion caused by recent rains, suggesting they may not be directly related to tectonic activity. . However, Lucía Pérez Díaz acknowledged that the movement of the rift valley could be related to an underlying fault line, although the exact cause is still being investigated.
Long-term impacts on African landscapes
According to National Geographic, Africa’s future could see the formation of new landmass as the Somali Plate separates from the Nubian Plate, creating a landmass similar to Madagascar. Although this change unfolds over millions of years, the East African Rift continues to intrigue geologists, offering a unique glimpse into Earth’s ever-evolving landscape.Also read | Why did NASA’s Crew-8 mission end in hospitalization? What you need to know
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